When my kids were old enough to really start talking and listening a little, I told them how some words are strong and they bring meaning all on their own to the conversations we use them in. Basically, I just wanted them to try to use the word “hate” sparingly. “Save it,” I would say, "for something that you feel super strongly about." If they were not kids, I might have used the example: “I hate cancer.” For my son, at the time it was “Mom, I really hate stubbing my toe.” (I get it. It hurts!!)
Today, I was talking to a forever friend and she reminded me of the most important lesson I can teach my kids about the power of words. I was telling her about a fundraising idea my husband Mike and I had to raise money for brain cancer research. I was holding back a bit and hesitating to get into too much detail. Then she said “OK! So what do WE need to do?” And with that one word--“we”--I was suddenly filled with energy and excitement and determination and faith. All of our preliminary brainstorming and premature plans came flooding out with excitement.
We have a goal to raise $500,000 to fund research for Oligodendroglioma research. Yes! It is big. It is not too big, It is just the initial fundraising necessary for significant steps to be made forward in research and treatments for brain cancer.
We also have a goal to create and be a part of a community of people who inspire and motivate each other to weave our different life experiences into the best lives we can live. Yes! It is big, but it is simple. It starts with one story that inspires another person's story and another and another!
When I finished telling my friend about our plans, she said “YES! and I felt like she had said it all! Because the two common and simple words she chose have power! “We” is not just you and me. It is “I’m with you,” “I am here for you, “ I want to help, “lets figure this out together - your bumps are mine.” It is “you are not alone, we can do this.” And “Yes” is not just a word used to give an affirmative response. It is “Dream big Baby. Dream as big as you want because I believe in you and I believe in your dreams.”
It would be a gift to welcome more people into our lives who are ready to choose words that inspire, motivate and energize. Please join our facebook group at ourcommonthreadnow.